Creating Workflows

Learn how to create and manage workflows in Autorun

Creating Workflows

Workflows are the heart of Autorun. Learn how to create, configure, and manage them effectively.

What is a Workflow?

A workflow is a series of automated tasks that run in sequence or parallel based on your configuration. Each workflow consists of:

Triggers: Events that start the workflow
Actions: Tasks that are performed
Conditions: Logic that controls flow
Integrations: Connections to external services

Creating Your First Workflow

Step 1: Open the Workflow Builder

Navigate to your dashboard and click the "Create Workflow" button.

The Autorun dashboard with the workflow builder

Step 2: Configure Your Trigger

Choose what event will start your workflow:

trigger:
  type: webhook
  path: /api/new-user
  method: POST

Supported Triggers

Autorun supports webhooks, scheduled tasks, file uploads, and more. See the Triggers Reference for a complete list.

Step 3: Add Actions

Define what happens when the workflow runs:

actions:
  - name: Send Welcome Email
    type: email
    config:
      to: "{{ trigger.data.email }}"
      subject: "Welcome to Autorun!"
      template: welcome

  - name: Create User Profile
    type: database
    config:
      table: users
      operation: insert
      data:
        email: "{{ trigger.data.email }}"
        created_at: "{{ now() }}"

Video Walkthrough

Watch this detailed walkthrough of creating a complete workflow:

Advanced Features

Conditional Logic

Add conditions to control when actions run:

actions:
  - name: Send Premium Welcome
    type: email
    condition: "{{ trigger.data.plan === 'premium' }}"
    config:
      template: premium-welcome

Parallel Execution

Run multiple actions simultaneously:

actions:
  - name: parallel-tasks
    type: parallel
    tasks:
      - send-email
      - create-profile
      - notify-slack

Performance Tip

Use parallel execution for independent tasks to reduce workflow execution time.

Testing Your Workflow

Before deploying, test your workflow:

autorun test workflow.yaml --dry-run

Testing a workflow in the Autorun CLI

Best Practices

Keep it Simple: Start with basic workflows and add complexity gradually
Use Descriptive Names: Make actions easy to understand
Add Error Handling: Always include fallback actions
Test Thoroughly: Test with various inputs before deploying

Next Steps

Learn about Integrations to connect your workflows with external services.

Example: Complete Workflow

Here's a complete example of a customer onboarding workflow:

name: Customer Onboarding
description: Automated onboarding process for new customers

trigger:
  type: webhook
  path: /onboard

actions:
  - name: Validate Data
    type: validation
    config:
      schema: customer-schema

  - name: Create Account
    type: database
    config:
      table: customers
      operation: insert

  - name: Send Welcome Package
    type: parallel
    tasks:
      - name: Welcome Email
        type: email
        config:
          template: welcome

      - name: Slack Notification
        type: slack
        config:
          channel: "#new-customers"

      - name: Create Onboarding Tasks
        type: project-management
        config:
          tool: asana
          template: customer-onboarding

Troubleshooting

Common issues and solutions:

Workflow not triggering: Check your trigger configuration and permissions
Action failing: Review action logs and ensure all required fields are provided
Timeout errors: Consider breaking long workflows into smaller parts

For more help, check our Troubleshooting Guide or reach out to support.

Creating Workflows

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